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Roger Hiorns – Seizure  11/11/08

Posted By: Naomi

One of the most amazing things I have seen for a long time, Roger Hiorns has transformed a derelict 1970s council flat into a magical crystal grotto by pumping gallons and gallons of copper sulphate through the ceiling and allowing science to take its course in Artangel's latest site-specific project. The result is resplendent blue wonderland – slightly disturbing but strangely beautiful.

Extended til 30 November

Between Elephant & Castle and Borough tube stations, 151 – 189 Harper Road, London SE1

Click here to download detailed directions, travel and access information for Seizure.

A Disappearing Number (by Complicite) @ Barbican Theatre   27/10/08

Posted By: Naomi

This Splendid Loves is particularly relevant as it is for a production currently showing in London, but going to Sydney in a few weeks!

Current holder of both the Laurence Oliver and Evening Standard’s ‘Best New Play’ awards, A Disappearing Number is based on the early twentieth century collaboration between a Cambridge mathematician and a prodigal Indian scholar.  Yes, it is about maths, but it also brings together different cultures, times, places and principally ideas and our relentless compulsion to understand. A spectacular production weaves together these themes using both audiovisual and multimedia techniques in a moving and thought-provoking theatrical triumph.

Barbican: 10 October 2008 - 1 November 2008

Sydney Opera House: Wednesday 19 November 2008

www.complicite.org

Now playing: Credit Crunch MegaMix  24/10/08

Posted By: Mark

This weekend the clocks go back which means 1 hour of weekend absolutely FREE.

Now, we all know TIME = MONEY

So, free MONEY this weekend!!

As well as that, we have put together a crunched-out selection of money-themed tracks to soundtrack these ‘uncertain times’.

Compiled by Mark “I Aint Been Paid” Slade and Nick “all the Money” Griffiths

 

......Special shout out to G: Put a few shrimps on the barbie for us old boy. Bon voyage.

 

www.MakeaTape.com

Living in a Disco with Errors  23/10/08

Posted By: Nick

After August Bank Holiday's birthday celebrations with Soft Rocks ended with a floor full of revellers chowing down on cake (let them, indeed), LIVING IN A DISCO returns to the East End's finest music boozer The Star for another installment of sickly sweet riot-in a-rub-a-dub abandon.

Headlining the proceedings will be a live show courtesy of four-piece Glaswegian outfit ERRORS. Whilst a few vintage synthesizers can be bought off of eBay, catchy, cinematic synth-laden belters are harder - nay, impossible - to purchase. ERRORS must have nabbed a load then, coz they have them in abundance.

Vice Magazine summed them up quite well as: "Totally top notch fuzzy guitar stuff meets proper sub-bass, zoop zoop noises and electrotech touches in a delicate, hard-to-pull-of mix". They'll be supported by resident selectors Mr Lip, Pablo, Dr Astroturf and Squarks throwing down astro-electroid bangers, disco gleamers and future house party classics.

ERRORS live
Mr Lip
Dr Astroturf
Pablo
Squarks
Saturday 25th October
9-2
£5 (free before 9)
Star of Bethnal Green
359 Bethnal Green Road

Join the Facebook group and check out pictures from the cake-tastic birthday party or visit www.myspace.com/livinginadisco

Breaking Bad  23/10/08

Posted By: Alec

Breaking Bad on FX, the station that brought Dexter to the UK and ran five series of The Wire, comes up trumps again.

The show stars Bryan Cranston as Walter White, who is a struggling high school chemistry teacher with a handicapped child and pregnant wife. When the already tense White is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, he breaks down and turns to a life of crime, setting up meth lab in a desire to secure his family's future financial security. 

You can see Breaking Bad Sunday and Tuesday nights at 22:00 on FX Sky Digital Channel 164 or on Virgin Media Channel 179.

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer at Barbican and Trafalgar Square  17/10/08

Posted By: Naomi

Working at the crossroads between architecture, sculpture and performance, Canada-based artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer is well known for developing large-scale installations in public spaces. His work encourages both social interaction and audience participation through the use of new technologies, and invite the audience to question political issues of surveillance and information ownership.

For his first solo UK exhibition in a public gallery, the artist transforms The Barbican Curve into an immense interactive environment. Frequency and Volume comprises 48 radios, which can potentially all be tuned to different channels simultaneously. The 90-metre long arc of the gallery wall becomes a visual and sonic representation of London’s radio spectrum, constantly changing according to the physical position of its visitors. Participants’ shadows are cast on the wall, with each shadow tuning in to a radio frequency, changing channels as it moves around the gallery. The outline of a projected shadow affects the tuning, while its size controls the volume, and so the human body becomes an antenna able to tune into different frequencies.

Later this month, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer will also host an interactive video installation Under Scan at Trafalgar Square 15- 23 November 2008 (daily from dusk until midnight), with portraits projected into the shadow of passers-by making them appear to come alive.

Rafael Lozano-Hemmer

Kings Place (York Way N1)  10/10/08

Posted By: Naomi

New development just opened right behind King's Cross combines art gallery, restaurant & bars backing onto the canal, and a concert hall – the first new concert hall in London for 25 years!

 

To celebrate the opening Kings Place has been hosting five days of concerts, talks, spoken word performances, films and visual arts events, with a whole programme of further events scheduled ongoing.

 

Kings Place is also the new home of Guardian and Observer newspapers, and two of London’s finest orchestras (London Sinfonietta and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment)

 

www.kingsplace.co.uk

 

Celebrity Video Bloggers  10/10/08

Posted By: Ben

This is an interesting micro trend picked up by Times Online.

 

Best example is the artist formerly known as Puff Daddy's Bad Boy Records YouTube channel, which also features his new Ciroc ad - check him out channelling Frank Sinatra. 

 

http://au.youtube.com/user/BadBoyRecords

 

Rothko at the Tate Modern  10/10/08

Posted By: Naomi

The most talked about must-see exhibition of the year.

A fine selection of Mark Rothko’s later ‘series’ on display, and also an in-depth analysis of how the artist achieved specific effects, with layer upon layer of feathery brushstrokes in multiple different paint media.

Possibly the closest to ‘spiritual’ art gets…

Now through February 2009 at the Tate Modern

Matter  10/10/08

Posted By: Celia

Matter, London's newest purpose-built music hall, opened at the weekend. With a mixed bag of style-conscious Londoners, up-for-it dance heads and Fabric faithful, the venue is set to be the capital's next big thing. The O2 venue can hold 2,600 people across three levels with balconies and bridges overlooking the main room's kinetic dancefloor and impressive stage for showcasing live acts.

 

The safe hands of Yousef warmed the crowd up for the legendary Carl Cox, who took to the decks for his last London set for 2008. This was a monumental opening weekend for a club that will be dubbed London's Space.

 

www.matterlondon.com

Men’n’Motors  10/10/08

Posted By: Gary

Everyone knows that concept cars are fruits of imagination pushing the boundaries of auto design into the future. Those clever students at Royal College of Art have tasked themselves with designing cars with alternative energy solutions – i.e., ones that run on things like electricity.

 

These designs will influence the cars you drive tomorrow. RCA has been teaching vehicle design for more than 40 years and its alumni include big-name designers at Ford, Mazda, Volvo and other companies. An RCA grad has probably worked on the car you're driving now, even if it isn't made of glass.  

Check out the article on Wired.com.

Miranda July: performance artist, writer and filmmaker  10/10/08

Posted By: Naomi

A website created by Miranda July and Harrell Fletcher asks ordinary people to complete out-of-the-ordinary assignments - with extraordinary results.

In a world obsessed with "reality" programming, this collaborative public art project offers a refreshing take on how actual people think, act, and love. Completed assignments are posted on the website; to date, more than 5,000 people have participated in the project - artists and non-artists of all ages, from New York to North Carolina, and from Tel Aviv to Rio de Janeiro.

Also worth checking our Miranda July’s book of short stories: No One Belongs Here More Than You. The same quirky view on the world as seen in her film Me and You and Everyone We Know, with great compassion and generosity July reveals the idiosyncrasies, vulnerability, longing, and odd logic that govern everyday lives, creating a deliriously hopeful universe where strangers hug and students swim across the kitchen floor.

www.mirandajuly.com

Diesel's Dirty Thirty  08/10/08

Posted By: Shirin

We are giddy with anticipation for the £30 Diesel jeans sale on Friday 10 October to celebrate the brand's 30th birthday...

Diesel Dirty Thirty Stores

Social Suicide  25/09/08

Posted By: Shirin

Social Suicide is anything but. We recently came across this maverick men’s label showing their wares at a Shoreditch House vernissage. They’ve woven storytelling into the rich fabrics of their winter Anthology range, taking inspiration from 50 years of true Brit style:

“The Teddies, Mods, Rockers, Skinheads, Punks, Rudies and Dandies have all played their part, contributing fabrics, detailing and stories to create some stunning contemporary suits, jackets, jeans and overcoats – as usual, complimented by their shirts, sweaters, socks, ties and suspenders.”

The beauty’s in the detail – as subtle as red stitching on a button hole or as bold as a gun embroidered on a pinstriped pocket. The result is a wearable concept. Bring on the women’s line…

Social Suicide

Make a Tape  22/09/08

Posted By: Mark

Now playing: Top 20 Original Hip Hop Breaks (selected by Alec Samways)

"...a flash back to the South Bronx of the1970's and the roots of hip hop...."

Makeatape.com

Antonia Gitterios: Designer, Image Builder and Chef  22/09/08

Posted By: Manon

This Italian architect has recently designed interiors of Valentino and De Beers and is a Royal Designer for Industry in London.

 

Alternative Launch of Oasis Album in NY  22/09/08

Posted By: Lucy Sta.

BBH New York have teamed with Warner Brothers Music to launch a new Oasis album using a cunning bit of branded entertainment/content. The band will meet with around 20 of the best street musicians in New York to teach them tracks from the soon-to-be-released album. These guys will then spread out across the city, tucked away in their usual haunts (subway stops, Central Park, Times Square etc) and play their newly learnt musical pieces to the public. Music video directors The Malloy Brothers will shoot the event to create a full length documentary.

 

nycvisit.com/oasis

Bali In August   18/09/08

Posted By: Manon

It’s all about being European, or being surrounded by them. Sentosa Villas and sunset cocktails at Ku De Ta in Seminyak.

Bali

Colourscape Music Festival  18/09/08

Posted By: Emma G

A definite must see installation, this enormous inflatable structure located at Clapham Common has more than100 brightly coloured compartments, glowing like a disco ball. For extra effect, you can wander around the crazy space in a coloured cape. On the weekends, musicians perform at various points within the structure. A colourful experience you won't forget in a hurry.

Until Sep 21, Clapham Common, SW4 9BS

Time Out

Colourscape.org.uk

Living in a Disco, Friday 26th September  16/09/08

Posted By: Nick

Splendid Nick’s Shoreditch club night returns for end-of-summer knees-up with: Gucci Soundsystem (DFA), The Maccabees DJs, Good Shoes DJs, Mr Lip, Pablo and Li.

We could talk about how Gucci Soundsystem created the definitive no-wave pop-up disco Druzzis which has seen most of the electro dynasty pass through its doors throughout its beautifully sporadic life. Then we could rant about liaisons with LCD Soundsystem and the DFA shack-up that ensued. But let's not go there.

Groove-laden guitars + acid + proto x cowbell = house party dynamite that packs a (spiked) punch. Upstairs in the bar is about Maccabees' Orlando and Good Shoes' Rhys sorting out who can best pull it off as a deejay. LIAD rezzies Mr Lip, Li and Pablo play the less busy bits.

AAAAND... if any of you picked up a LIAD badge last time, show it on entry for an all-night concession price of a fiver. 

Friday 26th September. Last Days Of Decadence. 145 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JE

Doors: 9-3

£5 Before 10, £7 After

www.myspace.com/livinginadisco

Tanked Drinkwear  15/09/08

Posted By: Natalie

A t-shirt that has a rubber bottle opener sewn into it. The company also promotes responsible drinking.

 

www.tanked.com.au

Fido setting Flogos loose on unsuspecting Torontonians  11/09/08

Posted By: Lucy St.

Canadian wireless company Fido became the first company in the country to use Flogos when it promoted the Fido Sessions. Flogos combine helium and air to create an environmentally harmless cloud-like effect that can be molded to any shape.

 

YouTube

Visions for the Future  10/09/08

Posted By: Ece

A smart and genuinely conversation provoking question: Which films would you recommend to future generations? Help the BFI celebrate 75 years of film & TV culture by joining the debate. Vote on the BFI website and the most popular films will be shown at the BFI and cinemas throughout the UK.

I like it.  And I like scary films...

Vote now

The Red Lion & Sun pub, Highgate Village  08/09/08

Posted By: Niki

Refurbished about year ago, it has a welcoming feel that is matched by the friendly staff. Great food and proof you don’t need to go to a poncy Central London bar for a great Mojito. Outdoor space for sunshine and toasty fires and sofas for winter.  And best of all…dogs are welcome! They’ll even give you a bowl of water for your pooch.

Beerintheevening.com

Joox Tube  03/09/08

Posted By: Liz

Watch all the best US and UK TV series by streaming them online. Our particular favourites are Californication and Dexter for those that might have missed them!

 

A must for back to back viewing on a rainy day…

 

joox.net

The School of Life  29/08/08

Posted By: Naomi

Shopping doesn’t always have to involve buying more unnecessary stuff. The newly-opened ‘School of Life’ hosts intellectuals, such as Alain de Botton, advising clients who have been too busy making money on ways to improve their social and cultural skills. Founded by Sophie Howarth, a former curator of Tate Modern, who claims the school will act "as a travel agent for the mind."

The shop is a new cultural enterprise offering intelligent instruction on how to lead a fulfilled life. It offers evening and weekend courses, holidays to unexpected locations, stigma-free psychotherapy, secular sermons, conversation meals, a floating faculty of experts and a new kind of literary consultancy service called bibliotherapy.

The faculty is made up of some of the brightest thinkers and artists at work today. They include Alain de Botton, Geoff Dyer, Susan Elderkin, Tom Hodgkinson, Brett Khar, Robert Macfarlane and Martin Parr.  

At the back of the shop a door leads through to an extraordinary underground classroom created by artist Charlotte Mann. This is where regular evening and weekend courses are hosted exploring the five central themes of our lives - work, play, family, politics and love. The experiences of this remarkable faculty are combined with insights from important thinkers of the past to offer a unique combination of wit and wisdom around questions of everyday living.   

A new cultural enterprise based in offering intelligent instruction on how to lead a fulfilled life.

Never has shopping been more stimulating or fulfilling! 

Theschooloflife.com 

Lovers Electric  29/08/08

Posted By: Clare

In the tradition of Sonny of Cher,  Adelaide husband and wife duo Lovers Electric deliver electro pop with an 80s twist in their debut album, launched in Australia this week. “What Ever You Want” available on the Australian iTunes store. 

Lovers Electric on Myspace

Penguin Dating  27/08/08

Posted By: Shirin

Not blind dates between tuxedo-clad birds, but rather a new dating concept for book lovers. It’s Penguin Dating, the latest social media moxie from publishing house Penguin, who have joined up with dating site Match.com to bring together like-minded bookworms. 

These guys know what they’re digi-doing. In addition to building a strong online presence by blogging, podcasting, Twittering and Facebooking, they’ve also created spaces for niche communities to play with teenage book portal Spinebreakers, a wikinovel and digital writing project We Tell Stories.

If it’s anything like their previous efforts, Penguin’s new dating community will be a rousing success. They’ve already made their first love connection. (With us…call us!)

www.penguindating.co.uk  

The Impossible Art of Li Wei  22/08/08

Posted By: Alec

Don't try this at home, especially if you live in a tower block. Check out some stunning images from this Chinese artist. Expect the Shoreditch take on this from our very own Nick 'I Believe I Can Fly' Griffiths soon.

http://www.hemmy.net/2008/04/19/the-impossible-art-of-li-wei/

The hush of Hammershøi  19/08/08

Posted By: Shirin

Silence is not very common here at Splendid. If it’s not a boisterous brainstorm, it’s a battle of the iPods (plugged into speakers). So we’re a little beguiled by the concept of poetic silence. In fact, we quite like the thought of being lulled into a meditative state by staring at a painting—as opposed to a flashing computer screen with two YouTube videos, Outlook, three Power Point presentations and seven Google windows open.

 

Sorry, we got carried away. We’re referring, of course, to the first Vilhelm Hammershøi (1864-1916) retrospective in the UK at the Royal Academy of Arts, which features ‘over 60 paintings spanning the career of this celebrated Danish artist.’ Showing until 7 September 2008.

 

Vilhelm Hammershøi and the Poetry of Silence

Lucio’s Pizza  12/08/08

Posted By: Lloyd

Quite simply Sydney’s best pizzeria and now, thanks to Time Out, the secret is officially out (it’s been listed as the number 1 pizza restaurant in the city). Well worth a look if you’re in the Darlinghurst area.

Time Out

Man on Wire  12/08/08

Posted By: Naomi

Inspirational, breathtaking and truly moving true story about the man who walked on a wire between the Twin Towers. Incredibly inspiring, and proof that if you really want something the impossible can become achievable. 

Go and be amazed, in cinemas now. 

Manonwire.com

SUSHISAMBA, Chicago (and New York x 3, Miami, Dallas, Tel Aviv)  07/08/08

Posted By: Naomi

A unique and truly delicious blend of Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian cuisine, music and design.

 

Hearty moquecas and colorful ceviches sit on the menu alongside simple miso soup and tender sashimi.  SUSHISAMBA serves these traditional dishes, plus more inventive fare, including Sashimi Seviche, Sushi Salada, and our South American Beef Maki Roll.  Wash this down with quality cocktails and a great wine list, and this is foodie heaven!

 

One of my all time favourite meals ever - if only there was one in London!

 

SUSHISAMBA  

Revenge served ice cold  07/08/08

Posted By: Nick

Like me, the vinyl lovers amongst you will probably share a strange internal tug of war on this; is it apt retaliation or massively uncalled for? You decide! 

Ebay

Once in a lifetime experience that is YULEFEST  07/08/08

Posted By: Natalie

Yulefest is a charming time of year in the Blue Mountains -- as cold as an English summer’s day (freezing) and as festive as a Bank Holiday. But still…the sentiment is there. You pull crackers, wear hats and eat a version of Christmas pudding (with apples and, erm, homemade Tooheys beer butter, a variation on brandy butter). Santa arrives and sings Australian Jingle Bells which talks about dashing through the ‘bush’, driving in a rusty Ute and the beach…the spirit of Christmas is alive and well. You finish the evening round a log fire, sweating and watching the most beautiful stars and Rudolph shoot across the sky.

Yulefest

The long anticipated launch of Grazia Australia  29/07/08

Posted By: Suzanne

….it’s set to shake up the magazine industry.

Grazia Australia

DJ Yoda @ the Smirnoff Experience secret parties in Australia  28/07/08

Posted By: Clare

UK master turntablist DJ Yoda brought his Magic Cinema Show to Australia for the first time at the Smirnoff Experience secret parties, held in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane in July. He uses a Pioneer SVM-1000 to mix and scratch visual samples from movies, cartoons and YouTube videos like The Simpsons, Rocky and of course Star Wars, with a little treat for the Aussie audiences – a soap wedding montage with scenes from Neighbours, Home & Away and E-Street!

YouTube

Makeatape.com  28/07/08

Posted By: Mark

Now playing: 'Back From The Pub And Quite Pissed'

"Here's a mix I did last night, when I came back from the pub. It's called 'Back From The Pub And Quite Pissed' mix. Enjoy, Johnny Pictish x"An intoxicated tape by The Pictish Trail (Fence Records)

Coming up next week: 'Casillero del Diablo'

Mmmm....

Listen Here

Living in a Disco’s New Shoreditch Residency   25/07/08

Posted By: Nick

Coming out of Dalston, hotter than a kofte skewer, we're proud to announce LIVING IN A DISCO will be upping sticks and debuting at Shoreditch’s new 2-floor wonder LAST DAYS OF DECADENCE on Friday 1st August. Headlining the proceedings will be disco dons du jour Mock & Toof. Knocking out beautifully wonky remixes for the likes of Hot Chip and Scissor Sisters amongst others, the guys’ solo releases, invariably with outstanding names (try “Black Jub” and “Big Hands For A Lady” for size) and tasty artwork, have earned the weighty approvals of DFA and Tiny Sticks. Their sound? Forget space disco, this is intergalactic jazz for anti-gravity dance floors.

But before we let those scoundrels on the decks, suave debonair and new wave crooner George Demure and his band will be stepping up to take the mic. And keyboards, guitars and drum machines. Having made his live debut supporting Colder at London’s Bush Hall back in 2005, George has since wowed audiences at Glastonbury, the ICA, Koko and featured on Output’s Channel 4 Compilation with "New Confrontation". Another Output single, "The Main Attraction" was one of the last ever releases on that much missed imprint.

 

Upstairs in the bar, Jon Burnip (Tiger Timing/Capracara) will be throwing down warbling acidic grooves alongside Eames’ loose‘n’live bass-heavy disco. They’ll be commandeered by LIAD residents carving the usual smorgasbord of astro-electroid shuffle inducers and future house party classics. FRIDAY 1ST AUGUSTLast Days of Decadence145 Shoreditch High street E1 6JE9-3.30£5 Before 10, £7 After

 

Living in a Disco on MySpace

 

Watchmen’s First Look  25/07/08

Posted By: Pete

Check out the first trailer from Watchmen, due out early 2009. Widely considered to be the best graphic novel ever made, Watchmen has been in various stages of production hell for over 10 years but is finally making it to the screen, courtesy of Zach Snyder (Dawn of the Dead, 300).

View the Watchmen Trailer

The Frontline - a new play by Ché Walker  25/07/08

Posted By: Rax

What would Shakespeare be writing about if he were alive today and living in the backstreets of Camden? The answer stared me in the face last Sunday as I braved the weather to attend the world premiere of Ché Walker’s newest play The Frontline, performed at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on the Southbank.

Saturday night outside the tube: religion, strip bars, weed, crack, lost old men, unemployed actors and vegans all collide in a riptide of chaos on the streets of London. In this vibrant and blackly comic new play, a dozen private stories emerge, and their voices give utterance to a storm of subjects and feelings. Ché Walker, winner of the George Devine Award and playwright for the Royal Court, brings to the Globe stage a panorama of contemporary London.

The highlight for me was a five minute rant on how totally brilliant Marmite is and how in centuries to come, archeologists digging up the streets of London would come across the marvel that is yeast based vegetable spread. It had me laughing so much that had I not had a cheapo £5 standing ticket, I would surely have wet myself in the sitting gallery.

The Frontline Running 6 July - 17 August

Star Over London  24/07/08

Posted By: Sarah

The largest commercial airship is taking passengers on a journey above London’s landmarks, offering 1500 intrepid passengers the experience of a lifetime. Taking place between July 10th and August 21st you could be amongst a very limited number of pioneering guests to take this unprecedented airborne journey…

Star Over London

 

Truffleshuffle.co.uk  24/07/08

Posted By: Laura

With its stock frequently shown in the media and a huge celebrity following, this website boasts a huge collection of iconic retro images printed Tees & Hoodies . Whether you’re after Superman Coasters or t-shirts featuring your favourite 80s film (I currently have my name down for a Goonies t-shirt) there will definitely be something that takes your fancy!

 

Truffleshuffle.co.uk

London Liming  24/07/08

Posted By: Rax

An amazing evening was curated by Melanie Abrahams at the Queen Elizabeth Hall (Southbank Sun July 13th) on the theme of ‘liming’ (the art of doing nothing) which was defined by one of the participants as ‘giving yourself to the world, but not necessarily the people in it.’ The programme brought together an eclectic mix of spoken word, poetry, music and DJs, with Ursula Rucker, Brian Patten, Patience Agbabi, Shlomo, Stacey Makishi and Louis Antwi.

The highlight of the evening (and I’m hard pressed to pick just one) was beatbox sensation Shlomo who, as artist in residence at the London Southbank Centre, didn’t fail to deliver an awesome, jaw-dropping performance which aroused a standing ovation from the packed auditorium. Shlomo also performed at the Smirnoff Electric Cabaret in London last year and recently performed at this year’s Glastonbury Festival.

The headlining act Ursula Rucker awed the audience with her extremely powerful presence on stage - blending Philadelphia slam poetry with soulful rifts. Stacey Makishi was another high point of the event - she performed one of the best pieces of live/interactive art I’ve seen in a while. Throughout her piece she blew in to her balloon until she reached the point in the story where her character would have to burst it. The whole audience was in uproar. Who’d have thought that a woman blowing in to a balloon could cause such a visceral response?

Ursula Rucker Online 

Virtual Market Stall Pretaportobello.com  24/07/08

Posted By: Sarah

The new online ‘market’ sells fashion and accessories direct from Portobello Market and delivers them to your door. You can browse virtual stalls for cutting-edge designs, whilst the Let’s Trade section allows you to haggle with the online trader for bargains, so you can barter down to a price that suits.

Pretaportobello.com

The Anti-Cannes: Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams  10/07/08

Posted By: Ece

Tilda Swinton and Joel Coen have joined forces to stage the anti-Cannes – The Ballerina Ballroom Cinema of Dreams - a new film festival in which the entry fee is a tray of cakes. Held in an old ballroom in Nairn, works from Bjork to Polanski will be screened as guests are invited to lounge of bean bags.

 

MySpace

Klimt Goes to Liverpool  10/07/08

Posted By: Naomi

Packed full of opulent paintings and interesting background on the architecture and design of the Viennese Secession, Gustav Klimt: Painting, Design and Modern Life in Vienna 1900 at Tate Liverpool runs until 31 August. The highlight is the celebrated Beethoven Frieze -- all several hundred feet of it.

 

Tate Liverpool

BMW’s Kinetic Installation  10/07/08

Posted By: Gary

Check out the installation at the newly revamped BMW Museum in Munich in which 714 metal balls shape shift through a cycle of forms resembling the BMWs we know and love. The exhibition space celebrates the brand’s 90-year history—but what really resonates is how the new media content both informs and entertains.

YouTube.com

Rat strips away surface of street art  10/07/08

Posted By: Gary

Street art legend Blek Le Rat tells the story of street art and how New York graffiti inspired him. One of the first artists to have an impact on the European scene, he pioneered the stencil style which has influenced many other artists. Joined by the street artist Rough, he’ll be providing an insight into the underground world of graffiti in the UK. This is one you don’t want to miss. Sponsored by Nissan QASHQAI, ‘The History of Street Art’ takes place at Tate Modern on Friday 1st August 2008 at 18.30–19.30.

The History of Street Art 

Royal Academy Summer Exhibition  10/07/08

Posted By: Emma G

One of the most spectacular contemporary art exhibitions in its 240th year, the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition combines a range of new work by established and unknown living artists. Sure to brighten up rainy summer days, the exhibition showcases more than 1,200 pieces of spectacular art, from weird and wonderful paintings to disturbing real life visuals. The room curated by Tracy Emin is a must see, mixing Emin style nudity art with shocking projection images that may leave you in a mist of emotions.

The Royal Academy Summer Exhbition

Smirnoff Black Meets Old Hollywood Glamour  10/07/08

Posted By: Pete

Celebrating old Hollywood chic, Smirnoff Black Screenings kick-starts a two-month residency at Chelsea favourite Bluebird this week. Guests will view Hollywood film classics as they sip distinctively smooth Smirnoff Black cocktails evocative of the era. Taking inspiration from Casablanca, Citizen Kane, Rear Window, My Fair Lady & North By Northwest, the restaurant will undergo a glamorous 1950s makeover with stylish sun loungers, black and white striped parasols and staff in matching black and white summer uniforms. Smirnoff Black Screenings run every Wednesday until 27th August.

 

Smirnoff Black Screenings

Mark Ronson, Duran Duran Rock Smirnoff Experience Paris  07/07/08

Posted By: naomi

Hosted last week at the exclusive La Cigalle nightclub, an electrifying Smirnoff Experience Paris featured the incomparable Mark Ronson and Duran Duran. From Girls on Film to Rio, the hits kept rolling out with even a few covers thrown in for good measure. A truly original and audacious night that will go down as a legendary gig!

 http://youtube.com/watch?v=t_QPyorsknw

Psycho Buildings at The Hayward, til 25 August  30/06/08

Posted By: Naomi

The brilliant exhibition brings together the work of artists who create architecturally-inspired work:  habitat-like structures and architectural environments. Explore The Hayward's spaces inside and out, including a room frozen in a moment of explosive disaster; tunnels linking galleries; an eerie but strangely beautiful village of over 200 dollhouses; a floating plastic cloud (which you can crawl around on/in and look down on people below) and a skyline boating pond! Great for both big and small people.

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/visual-arts/hayward-exhibitions

Guerrilla gardening for vegetables  20/06/08

Posted By: Niki

As part of the London Festival of Architecture, bags full of salads, herbs and flowers will be placed around London to meet demand for local home grown produce. You can see the fruits of their labours at various locations, including VACANT LOT on Cheap Street. Seventy bags of soil have turned a dilapidated housing estate into a buzzing and fruitful community hub. Gordon Ramsay would be proud!

http://www.lfa2008.org/event.php?id=57&name=Grow+Bags%3A+Urban+Allotments 

Make a Tape  20/06/08

Posted By: Mark

Now playing: Frankenstein’s Monster Mix’ by Pete Hawkes

“A selection of freshly grave-robbed anatomical tunes, crudely stitched together to form a body of musical work for your enjoyment.”

Coming up next week....

"Dad Dancing 2": Following last week's Father's Day tribute, we return with a second edition of 'Dad Dancing' music. Big up to all you Splendid Dads out there - you made a second tape!

 www.makeatape.com

Prankster Gangsters  12/06/08

Posted By: Shirin

A new blog covers what is practically becoming an art form: the prank. Urban Prankster posts the latest 'pranks, hacks, participatory art, flash mobs, and other creative endeavors that take place in public places in cities across the world.' They had us at hello.

www.urbanprankster.com   

Pimm's O'Clock  11/06/08

Posted By: Kiran

Quite a nice little viral from the Pimm's lot…..

http://www.timeout.com/london/pimms/findpub.html

Our next 'away day'  11/06/08

Posted By: Gareth

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWF8KV4IW5o

Hide and seek  11/06/08

Posted By: Nick

Sign up for the next installment from 4th June

SIGN UP IS NOW LIVE. GO TO WWW.HIDEANDSEEKFEST.CO.UK

Mr Reeling's This Is It....
Following on from last year's extraordinary Journey to the End of the Night, the Assistants bring you This is It... co-presented by K-Swiss for HIDE + SEEK FESTIVAL 2008. www.kspace.tv.

An exhilarating hybrid of Gideon Reeling's particular form of interactive entertainment and that old favourite, tag.

Surrender yourself to the night. Run through the streets of London attempting to avoid capture from people who are chasing you. If you are caught you become a chaser.
Your task is to negotiate a series of checkpoints around London, to not get caught by the dark forces and to liberate our special guest band in time to join Mr Reeling's opening Hide and Seek party.

The only forms of travel allowed are your own two feet and public transport. Be ready to run, ready to hide, Friends become foes in a heartbeat, be ready for the longest night.

 

Razorlight and Fatboy Slim   11/06/08

Posted By: Nick

http://www.rockness.co.uk/

Graffiti animation  11/06/08

Posted By: Liz

This is long but when you have a spare five minutes it is worth watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuGaqLT-gO4&eurl=http://apps.facebook.com/superwall/view.php?newsfeed=1&id=806586158&owner_id=223700272

 

Vintage  05/06/08

Posted By: Liz

£10 or less hand picked vintage!

http://www.theeastendthriftstore.com/   

Linkin Purpz  05/06/08

Posted By: Chris

German Metal band produce head banging fan song for Age of Conan championing the development team as Gods of War. Samples Arnie from the Conan the Barbarian film. User Generated Content at its finest – Brings new meaning to “Heads will Roll!”.  

Gods of War - Linkin Purpz: http://community.ageofconan.com/conan/frontend/files/Linkin%20Purpz%20-%20Gods%20of%20War.mp3 

Linkin Purpz on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/linkinpurpz2008

How to win a pitch  28/05/08

Posted By: Shirin

This scene from the season finale of Mad Men shows how it’s done:

 http://youtube.com/watch?v=R2bLNkCqpuY

New Age of Conan – Femme Fatale Trailer!  23/05/08

Posted By: Chris

Half-dressed, low-polygonal women stab virtual men in the back instead of participating in the standard post-coital embrace.

http://ve3d.ign.com/videos/play/28006/PC/Age-of-Conan-Hyborian-Adventures

Spirograph!  22/05/08

Posted By: Rax

Inspired by the amazing shop window display at Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge, we started wondering whatever happened to Spirograph – the Eighties’ phenomenon that instantly turned us all into psychedelic art prodigies. Well, if you fancy reliving the genius that is Spirograph, check out http://wordsmith.org/~anu/java/spirograph.html - a virtual version that is really addictive! For those of you wondering what a Spirograph is…

A Spirograph is a curve formed by rolling a circle inside or outside of another circle. The pen is placed at any point on the rolling circle. If the radius of fixed circle is R, the radius of moving circle is r, and the offset of the pen point in the moving circle is O, then the equation of the resulting curve is defined by:

x = (R+r)*cos(t) - (r+O)*cos(((R+r)/r)*t)
y = (R+r)*sin(t) - (r+O)*sin(((R+r)/r)*t) Or simply put... you stick your pen into a thingy and rill it around and you get nice patterns... ! And if you’re lucky enough to be too young to take a stroll down Memory Lane, you can always head down to 109-125 Knightsbridge instead to see the real thing in action!  Hypnotising stuff….Zzzzzzz…… [3…2…1… you’re back in the room!]

Living in a Disco  20/05/08

Posted By: Nick

Following on from a storming debut at the Star of Bethnal Green with nicest-man-in-dance-music Anu "Freeform Five" Pillai last month, we're returning to our Dalston residency for a good ol' basement knees-up….

This Saturday 24th May sees L.I.A.D launch the season of sunshine with a PALM SPRINGS SUMMER OPENING PARTY. Revellers will be transported to middle America circa 1975 for glamorous excess in pastel colours. Think Palm trees, clean lines, golf-chic and gaudy swimwear.

Heading up sonic direction will be Nightmoves. Having put out Klaxons and Punks Jump Up remixes on oh-so-now imprint Kitsuné as well as sprinkling disco magic over ex-Moloko and first-lady of electro-pop Roisin Murphy, Nightmoves – aka Matt Waites – has ‘production thoroughbred’ written all over him. His DJ credentials have been given the seal of approved by Wax On and Bugged Out to name but 2..

Joining him will be quite literally one of the biggest names in music. Ever. TOTALLY ENORMOUS EXTINCT DINOSAURS (T.E.E.D) is the 19 year old wunderkind hailing from Oxford who may prove to be the perfect tonic to all that noisy Parisian stuff. Making playful but driving electronic pop music with purpose, T.E.E.D already has Radio 1 plays under his belt. This will be T.E.E.D’s “London Disco debut” playing a set entirely of his own tracks and re-rubs.

In support will be hosts Mr Lip and Dr Astroturf as well as disco’s own Thin White Duke, Pablo; generally not mixing warm, chuggy cosmica to see you through the last Bank Holiday Saturday until August! http://www.timeout.com/london/clubs/events/735419/living_in_a_disco_presents_palm_springs_summer_opening_party.htmlwww.myspace.com/livinginadisco
www.myspace.com/nightmovesareboom
www.myspace.com/totallyenormousextinctdinosaurs 

Persepolis  16/05/08

Posted By: Naomi

Make a Tape   16/05/08

Posted By: Naomi

Market restaurant  13/05/08

Posted By: Naomi

Rangers  12/05/08

Posted By: Suzanne

Rangers' improbable trek to Wednesday's Uefa Cup final date with Zenit St Petersburg.

They have not reached this stage of a tournament since they beat Moscow Dynamo in the European Cup-Winners' Cup in Barcelona in 1972.

Come on Rangers!

Make a Tape  09/05/08

Posted By: Haran

 

J.K. Rowling, Dostoyevsky and You  08/05/08

Posted By: Shirin

The days of rejection from big publishing houses are gone with the advent of Blurb—“a creative publishing service simple and smart enough to make anyone an author”. Just download the software, add images and text, and promote (or buy) your own book…

http://www.blurb.com

The Rock House in Jamaica   07/05/08

Posted By: Ben

Perched on volcanic cliffs just down the road from Chris Blackwell’s gaff, jump off your balcony into the rock pools, and all for about the same price as the Hoxton Hotel. 

http://www.rockhousehotel.com

www.makeatape.com  02/05/08

Posted By: Mark

The Apprentice – it just gets better and better!  02/05/08

Posted By: Naomi

Apprenticewatch this week included a three-hour debate about where to place an apostrophe (with calls made to the Telegraph editor and the British Library to try and resolve the issue), a commitment to give “150%” effort, and an idea for greetings cards based on green issues and environmentalism…. Duh!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apprentice/newsarticle/cid/138.html

Mark Hix